Articles tagged with Animal Habitats
A study found that invasive Atlantic Coast crabs and snails have devastated oyster reefs in Tomales Bay, California, destroying half of the native Olympia oyster population. The invasion has disrupted trophic cascades, causing a loss of critical habitat for marine biodiversity.
Researchers develop computer model showing how diverse species can arise from arrangement of organisms across an area without physical barriers or natural selection. The study found that genetic distance increases over generations, leading to a rapid increase in species numbers until they reach a steady state.
Researchers found that Southern Elephant seals quickly responded to the gain and loss of habitat under climate change by establishing a new breeding site in the Ross Sea Embayment. This new habitat was adopted due to abundant food resources and physical space, allowing rapid expansion of the population.
Researchers discovered that whale falls create persistent chemosynthetic habitats in surrounding sediment for over seven years. These habitats are comparable to those found at deep-sea cold seeps and hydrothermal vents.
A new theory derived from information theory provides more accurate estimates of species richness in habitats of all sizes, from deserts to tropical rainforests. The method scales up from small plots to biomes and predicts that the number of new species found approaches zero as the area increases.
Year 10 students from Hadden Park High School in Nottingham are using advanced GPS technology to map fragments of heathland at Sherwood Pines Forest Park. The project aims to raise awareness of heathland and develop habitat corridors to protect species affected by climate change.
The NOAA report finds that the sanctuary's marine life and habitats are fair to good overall but face emerging threats like marine debris and ocean acidification. The condition report provides a baseline for monitoring changes in sanctuary resources.
A UNH researcher received a Presidential Environmental Award for his work on the South Coast Habitat Restoration Project, which restored ecologically important eelgrass meadows to tidal ponds in Rhode Island. The project utilized a site selection model developed by the researcher, identifying locations most favorable to eelgrass growth.
Researchers discovered the large blue butterfly's extreme dependence on a single ant species led to its demise. The study reveals how habitat overgrowth caused soil temperatures to drop, resulting in diminishing ant numbers and ultimately, the butterflies' decline.
African bird species are at risk of getting stuck in environments that will become too hostile for them to survive due to climate change. The research found that natural features of the landscape, such as mountain ranges and tropical forests, create barriers that many birds cannot cross.
Warmer weather has favored larger birds and generalist species, which are well-positioned to respond to climate change. The analysis of the annual Christmas Bird Count data reveals that only one of three predicted outcomes holds true for North American birds over the past quarter century.
Honeycreepers' high-altitude refuges are vulnerable to disease invasion and habitat loss as temperatures rise, putting species at risk of extinction. The USGS predicts that climate change will displace these refuge areas, forcing birds to migrate into higher disease transmission zones.
A new tool helps decision-makers determine when and how to use managed relocation, a strategy considered too radical for serious consideration in the past. The approach involves moving species into more accommodating habitats where they are not currently found.
Researchers found that connecting habitat patches with corridors increases plant biodiversity in protected areas and surrounding non-target habitats. This spillover effect can elevate biodiversity by up to 160%.
Research by NC State University biologist Dr. Nick Haddad and colleagues found that landscape corridors connecting isolated habitat patches increased plant species beyond the area itself. The study showed that corridors caused a significant spillover effect, especially among bird-dispersed plants, leading to broader conservation benefits.
The Protected Areas Database – United States (PAD-US) is a national inventory of protected lands in the US. The database contains information on over 22,000 highly protected areas, covering 15% of the country's land area.
A study in Evolution Canyon, Israel, shows that scorpion species exhibit different distributions on the south-facing and north-facing slopes, despite identical regional geology. The results suggest that environmental pressures, such as sunlight and drought, can lead to local changes in biodiversity.
The study found that vegetation cover has increased over the past 65 years, leading to a decrease in bare sandstone habitat critical for broad-headed snakes. Regular controlled burns could open up the forest canopy and prevent tree seedling establishment, benefiting the endangered species.
A UK study shows that predicting population spread and conserving habitats can help threatened species survive environmental change. The silver-spotted skipper butterfly's recovery over 18 years highlights the importance of preserving chalk grasslands in southern England.
Researchers found that translocation to climatically-suitable areas can help butterflies survive beyond their northern ranges. The study showed that assisted colonisation can play a vital role in wildlife conservation, especially for rare species and those with limited mobility.
A new study reveals that airborne laser elevation (lidar) surveys provide a 10-fold improvement in topographical feature measurement precision. This technology adds greater clarity to mapping streams and rivers, allowing for better habitat analysis and restoration. The results have significant implications for various fields such as fo...
A new article suggests that gorilla lice evolved to infest pubic hair around 3.3 million years ago, possibly due to human-gorilla contact. This divergence occurred despite humans and gorillas diverging from a common ancestor at least 7 million years ago.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologists reveals that many common salamander species have plummeted in Central America, contradicting previous attributions to habitat destruction and pesticides. Instead, researchers believe global warming is driving these species to higher elevations where habitats become inhospitable.
A new study reveals that black wolves, the first genetically modified predators, have adapted to changing environments thanks to human dog breeding. The trait, which originated from domesticated dogs, has proven valuable for wolf populations as their arctic habitats shrink.
Two federal scientists, Martin Raphael and Eric Forsman, have won national awards for their research on the habitat and ecology of the marbled murrelet and the northern spotted owl. Their work emphasizes a strong partnership between research and management to improve the status of these bird species.
Climate change and mosquito adaptation could lead to the expansion of dengue fever vectors in Australia, increasing disease transmission risk. The researchers' Niche Mapper software predicts suitable habitats for the mosquitoes will increase across the continent by 2050.
Researchers found that key ecological threats can be detected in advance, allowing for swift policy change. Monitoring and analysis of ecosystem data are crucial to preventing regime shifts and averting ecological harm. The study's findings offer a new approach to predicting environmental disaster and informing conservation efforts.
A new University of Missouri study examines the effect of golf courses on salamander populations, finding suitable habitats for species native to the area. The researchers propose managing landscapes for human recreation and biodiversity preservation, creating a win-win situation for stakeholders and wildlife.
Researchers at Washington University found that corridors improve species diversity in fragmented landscapes, with birds and wind-dispersed plants responding positively to connectivity. Surprisingly, unassisted plant species also benefited from corridor presence, suggesting possible assistance from mammals.
A new study from Texas Christian and Louisiana State universities finds that shrimp trawling operations in the Gulf of Mexico are linked to higher levels of toxic mercury in juvenile red snappers. The research demonstrates a clear relationship between mercury concentrations and coastal areas where commercial shrimp trawling occurs.
New research on Galapagos land iguanas reveals reduced genetic diversity in some populations, putting them at risk from future environmental changes. The study's findings highlight the need for effective management and conservation strategies to ensure the long-term survival of these unique reptiles.
A new acoustic underwater camera system developed by the US Department of Defense is being used to study the juvenile goliath grouper in mangrove habitats. The technology allows researchers to visualize individual fish species and habitat without light or visibility conditions, providing critical information for conservation efforts.
A comprehensive study on Puerto Rico's freshwater fish species has been conducted by NC State researchers, identifying key features that support native populations and distinguishing those susceptible to invasion. The study aims to inform conservation efforts and management decisions for the island's fisheries.
Researchers found that small habitat patches, when connected in a network, can support species requiring larger habitats and facilitate movement between patches. This approach offers a promising tool for preserving ecological functions in fragmented landscapes.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast trace the family tree of octopuses, revealing a link between climate change and their global distribution. The study suggests that many deep-sea species evolved from Antarctic ancestors, highlighting the impact of thermohaline circulation on marine biodiversity.
Researchers will catalog and preserve diverse mollusk species in the Philippines, aiming to discover new products for central nervous system disorders, cancer, and antimicrobial drugs. The project also seeks to develop cellulosic biofuels production using enzymes from shipworms.
Researchers from WCS have gathered data on Myanmar's tiger and smaller carnivore populations using remote camera traps, revealing estimates of 7-70 tigers in the Hukaung Tiger Reserve. The study also confirms the existence of 18 smaller carnivores across various habitats.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has partnered with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to conduct extensive habitat restoration, monitoring, and research along the Alabama coast. The partnership will utilize $1.5 million in funding to construct shoreline restoration projects and monitor their efficacy.
A new study using ecological niche modeling found that small mammals on mountaintops in the Great Basin are not as isolated as previously believed. The research used climate data to 'backcast' species distributions at the height of the last ice age, finding most species lived at lower elevations and had larger ranges.
A new study suggests that Burmese pythons will not be able to find suitable habitats outside of South Florida, despite initial predictions by the USGS. The researchers used advanced climate models to predict the potential distribution of the snakes in the US and found that they are limited to the vicinity of the Everglades.
A comprehensive review of the world's 634 kinds of primates found almost 50% at risk of extinction, with habitat destruction and hunting being major threats. Conservationists highlight successes in helping targeted species recover, but stress the urgent need for reforestation to protect remaining populations.
Rising temperatures can lead to an increase in dry, desert-like conditions, affecting species' survival and natural resources. Climate change scientists warn that individual species indicate wider changes at the biome level, potentially altering ecosystem services for humans.
The Leptotyphlops carlae is the world's smallest known snake species, with adults measuring just under four inches in length. This tiny threadsnake was discovered by Blair Hedges in a forest fragment on Barbados and is believed to be rare due to habitat destruction.
An international research team developed a model to identify suitable habitats and corridors for the European wildcat. Almost half of Rheinland-Pfalz is considered suitable habitat, enabling a maximum population of 1600 females.
Researchers are studying how climate change affects early life stages of fish in two ocean environments off the coasts of New Jersey and Long Island. Using real-time data and advanced technology, they are developing models to aid fisheries research and management, with a focus on habitat effects and growth.
Researchers found that migratory songbirds can learn from the songs of successful birds, leading them to choose habitats with high reproductive potential. This complex communication ability suggests that songbirds may be more than just visually selecting habitats.
A new study shows that shallow water corals originated from deep-sea animals that invaded and diversified in shallow waters. The researchers found evidence of this transition in DNA and fossils, revealing an arms-race between corals and their predators as they built skeletal defenses.
Researchers at Oregon State University successfully relocated Caspian terns to a new nesting site at Crump Lake, finding over 135 nesting pairs. The move aims to reduce the birds' impact on threatened and endangered salmon populations in the Columbia River estuary.
A new study reveals that closely related species tend to avoid living together due to intense competition for food and shelter. This separation is crucial for the survival of individual species.
A new method by MIT researchers distinguishes between large groups of microbes based on their ecological niches. By analyzing genetic data and habitat preferences, scientists can now classify microbes with greater accuracy.
Researchers discovered extensive deep-sea coral habitats off the coast of North Carolina, containing commercially valuable fish populations and many newly discovered species. The reefs are important habitats for several species and contain historical data about changing ocean climate and productivity.
Researchers demonstrate that a simple method using river network geometry and rainfall data can accurately predict fish species diversity patterns in the Mississippi-Missouri basin. The model, which uses just four parameters, captures complex biodiversity patterns without referencing individual fish species.
Conservation efforts in Madagascar could avert catastrophic biodiversity loss with pro-active programs. The country harbors
A two-year study is underway to collect data on ichthyoplankton in the St. Johns River, aiming to predict vulnerability to water withdrawals and environmental changes.
Scientists from CSIRO tracked and mapped the habitats of 50 gulper sharks, swellsharks, and green eye dogfish near Port Lincoln, South Australia. The research aimed to evaluate the conservation value of closed areas designed to protect vulnerable shark species.
A new analysis maps the best remaining habitats for thousands of rare species in Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot with over 2,300 endemic species. The study prioritizes regions most vital for saving the greatest number of species, including lemurs and other unique species.
A new study by CSIRO scientists warns that climate change will force environmental scientists to rethink their approach to conservation. Temperatures over Australia are projected to rise by about 1 ºC by 2030, and 1.8 ºC by 2070, relative to 1990 levels.
A new essay proposes revising protected area categories to reflect biodiversity outcomes, with potential huge implications for preserving the earth's rapidly diminishing biodiversity. The change aims to make significant gains in biodiversity conservation and stanch species loss, habitat destruction, and ecosystem services degradation.
A new study reveals that tropical winter habitat plays a crucial role in determining where young migratory birds settle and nest. Birds that spend their first winter in lush habitats disperse southward, while those in harsher habitats disperse northward.
Researchers discovered that young birds' first winter environment plays a crucial role in determining their lifetime breeding grounds. The study suggests that access to water in the winter habitat is a critical factor in shaping their future migrations.